Door latch



y 1939- H. J. STRATMAN DOOR LATCH Filed Aug. 15, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I17. fire Z2720); v

A itorneys July 25, 1939. H. J. STRATMAN 2,167,594

DOOR LATCH Filed Aug. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 K) N Q Q s Q K1 x /A L; I? I Q Inventor Jiraianan A itorneys Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES iPATENT OFFICE Application August 13,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to closure fasteners and more particularly to a latch for a door or similar closure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a latch for application to a door which can be readily operated from either side of the door and which can be quickly mounted on a door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch of the character above mentioned which may be used in conjunction with a key operated lock for locking the bolt of the latch against being retracted.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for operating the key operated lock in a manner to engage the bolt thereof with the bolt of the latch forming part of the invention for locking the latch in projected position.

The invention, together with its objects and advantages, will be best understood from a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view illustratingthe application of the invention with part of a door broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational view illustrating the application of the invention and taken substantially at right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 41's a vertical sectional view through the door illustrating certain details hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bolt forming part of the invention.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided for the edge of the door a plate 5 that is secured to the door through the medium of screws or other fastening elements. Intermediate its ends the plate 5 is provided with an integral tubular guide IS that fits within an axial bore provided therefor in the door I which latter is of conventional construction.

A latch bolt 8 has a sliding fit within the guide 6 and at its inner end the bolt 8 is provided with an integral hook-like extension 9.

The door I also has secured to opposite sides thereof plates Ill and II, through the medium of screws or other fastening elements I2. Plates Ill and II are provided with openings that align with a transverse opening I3 provided in the door to accommodate a slide I4.

The slide I4 is pivotally connected at the opposite ends thereof with handles I5 and I6 pivoted to the plates Ill and II intermediate the ends of said handles, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. The

1938, Serial No. 224,768

slide I4 is connected to each of the handles by a pin and slot connection shown generally at 29. One of the handles, for example, the handle I5 is accessible from the inner side of the door while the other handle, for example, the handle 5 I6, is accessible from the outer side of the door.

The slide I4 is provided intermediate its ends with an elongated slot I8 that accommodates the hook end 9 of bolt 8 and also an end portion of a dog I9 that is pivoted as at 2! within a recess 20 provided in the door. Said end of the dog I9 is engaged with the hook 9 in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 2 for transmitting pivotal movement of the dog to the bolt 8.

The slide H5 is also provided with a shorter slot 22 which receives an integral arm 23 formed on the dog I9 at the pivoted end of the dog.

The bolt 8 is normally urged to a projected position through the medium of a spring 24 that at one end is anchored within a suitable recess 25 provided in the edge of the door, and at its free'end extends through a slot 26 provided in the guide 6 and engages a notch 2! provided in the bolt 8, as shown in Figure 1.

From the description of the invention thus far it will be seen that by pushing on the lever I5 which is pivoted to the plate It as at 28 slide I I is caused to shift in a direction and in a manner causing the dog I9 to swing in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2). Swinging movement of the dog in this direction will cause the bolt 8 to move inwardly to a retracted position against the action of spring 24.

To retract bolt 8 from the opposite side of the door handle or lever I6, is pulled outwardly relative to the plate II, for causing the slide I4 to shift in a direction to swing the dog I9 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2) and thus retract the bolt 8 against the action of the spring 24. The arrows shown in Figure 2 show the direction of movement of the handles at their lower portions for moving the slide in a direction to retract the bolt.

Obviously, upon release of pressure on either of the handles I5 or IE, spring 24 will act to project 45 the bolt 8, while spring means 1)- suitably associated With-handle or lever I 6 as shown in Figure 4, also acts to slide the member I8 to the normal position shown in the drawings.

Also, in accordance with the present invention there is suitably mounted at the outer side of the door, and on the plate II], a key operated lock 30, the bolt 3I of which is adapted to engage in a transverse groove 3| provided therefor in the slide I4 to lock the slide against shifting movement.

To operate the key controlled lock 30 from the inner side of the door there is provided an actuator rod 32 that is accommodate in a transverse bore provided therefor in the door I and at the inner end thereof the rod 32 is provided with prongs 33 as shown in Figure 4 to engage a pair of openings provided therefor on the inner side of the lock 30 so that upon turning of the actuator rod 32 in a proper direction the bolt of the lock 30 may be swung into position engaging in the groove of the slide l4 for locking the slide against movement transversely of the door and thereby locking the bolt 8 in projected position. Such assembly obviously serves as a night latch or lock for the door.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided at the bolt equipped edge of the door I a suitable spring catch 34 that at one end is suitably anchored through the medium of screws or the like 35 within a recess 36 provided in the plate 5. The spring catch 34 is provided at the free end thereof with a return band 31 that extends through an opening provided therefor in the plate 5 at one side of the guide 6 and terminates in a lateral extension that is accommodated within a suitable slot or recess 38 provided internally of the door I as shown in Figure 2.

The offset slotted portion of the spring catch 34 is adapted to engage in the keeper socket 39 of the door frame 40 as also clearly shown in Figure 2 for releasably holding the door in closed position while the latch bolt 8 is being retracted.

In connection with the above, it will be noted that the bevelled end 8a of the bolt 8 is grooved out or otherwise formed as at 40 whereby to present shoulders 4| which engage the spring catch 34 as the bolt 8 is retracted for urging the spring catch towards the plate 5 and out of the keeper socket 39 so that when the bolt 8 is fully retracted spring catch 34 is also in a retracted position, thus completely releasing the door 1 and permitting the same to be swung to open position.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, utility and advantages of a door latch embodying the features of the present invention will be had without a more detailed description.

What is claimed is:

1. In a latch of the character described, a spring projected bolt provided at one end thereof with a hook, and means for retracting the bolt including a slide member shiftable transversely to the length of said bolt and provided with an elongated slot accommodating the hook equipped end of the bolt, a dog pivotally mounted in proximity to said bolt and said slide and engaging the hook equipped end of said bolt, said slide also provided with a shorter slot, and said dog having an integral arm engaging in the second named slot whereby sliding movement of said slide is transmitted to said dog for swinging the same on its pivot, and oppositely disposed pivoted handles pivoted at one end thereof to the respective ends of said slide for shifting the latter in either of two directions, and in combination with a key operated lock having a bolt adapted to engage a groove in said slide for locking the latter against sliding movement.

2. In a latch of the character described, a spring projected bolt provided at one end thereof with a hook, and means for retracting the bolt including a slide member shiftable transversely to the length of said bolt and provided with an elongated slot accommodating the hook equipped end of the bolt, a dog pivotally mounted in proximity to said bolt and said slide and engaging the hook equipped end of said bolt, said slide also provided with a shorter slot, and said dog having an integral arm engaging in the second named slot whereby sliding movement of said slide is transmitted to said dog for swinging the same on its pivot, and oppositely disposed pivoted handles pivoted at one end thereof to the respective opposite ends of said slide for shifting the latter in either of two directions, and in combination with a key operated lock having a bolt adapted to engage a groove in said slide for locking the latter against sliding movement, and a spring latch device mounted on the door for engaging with a keeper to releasably retain the door closed, said spring latch device being provided with a slot and said bolt having the keeper engaging end thereof extending through said slot and provided with a shoulder structure for engaging said spring latch for retracting the latter incidental to the retraction of said bolt.

HUGO J. STRATMAN. 

